Daniel Harvey Fox

Dan Fox, 86, beloved husband of June of almost 61years, died peacefully at home on February 8, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones.

Dan, 20 year resident of Tarpon Springs and more recently of New Port Richey was born in New York City and earned his bachelor’s and his master’s degrees at the Manhattan School of Music.

Dan had a long and varied career in the music business. At 12, he taught himself to play guitar. At 15, he started playing guitar and bass with various bands all over the NYC area and across the country and also as a studio musician. Some of his venues included the Roseland Ballroom, Johnny Walker’s and Eddie Condon’s Jazz Clubs. He played with the New York Mandolin Orchestra and his own Paradise Rooftop Garden Orchestra.

Locally, Dan established and led the Rhythm Kings Orchestra playing old jazz and swing music for the past 10 years. Dan completed more than 240 arrangements for the band, who continue to perform his music for audiences in the area. Dan only retired this past year after a stroke left him unable to continue.

Additionally, Dan Fox wrote and sold more than 20 million popular music books including the Reader’s Digest Songbooks and Alfred Music’s The Greatest series. He wrote books for performers as varied as the Beatles, John Denver, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel, Kenny Rogers, Luciano Pavarotti and many others. Dan also wrote many original compositions including symphonies, fugues and an opera, The Legend of Buddy Bolden about the jazz great.

Besides his dear wife, he will be missed by his beloved children, Dori (and Bruce) Faust of San Jose, CA, Paul Fox of Holiday. His youngest daughter, Genevieve Haley, predeceased him in August 2014. Dan has five grandchildren whom he adored and was very proud of: Anna Fox, Jesilyn Faust, Alexandra Haley, Rebekah Faust and Nicholas Haley. Dan was predeceased by his sister Madeleine and also leaves his dear niece, Valerie and nephew Mitchell. He will also be missed by his many dear friends and neighbors in the music industry and beyond.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 1:00 at Michels-Lundquist at 5228 Trouble Creek, New Port Richey. Members of Rhythm Kings Orchestra will be graciously providing music. If desired, donations can be made to the Charcot Marie Tooth Association in Dan’s name.